Race to succeed Japan PM Suga heats up as more jump in

Kishida and Kono throw hats in ring, while Ishiba weighs run

20210903 Kishida, Kono, Ishiba and Takaichi

Declared and potential contenders to lead Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party include, from left, Fumio Kishida, Taro Kono, Shigeru Ishiba and Sanae Takaichi. (Source photos by Wataru Ito, Yumi Kotani and Uichiro Kasai)

Nikkei staff writers

September 3, 2021 23:03 JST

Updated on September 4, 2021 02:01 JST

TOKYO -- Japanese administrative reform minister Taro Kono will run to become the next leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party following Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga's decision Friday not to seek reelection in the Sept. 29 vote.